Hal, thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughts - both personal & collective - about the state of the world we're living in at this time, and specifically, the words of Rev. Budde.
There is so much I could say...but for now, thank you for the guiderails of your essay.
Rev. Budde, from my view, was (is) a prophet. By that I mean, she KNEW what she was saying, why she was saying it, and to whom she was saying it.
She also honored the very words she wrote, spoke, and demonstrated in her speech - especially the 2nd of her three points, honesty. She HAD to speak it because she knew (my guess is in every cell of her body) the TRUTH of her words.
My sense too, like prophets we've heard of in other times and places, is that she literally risked her life to speak truth to power. And she HAS done the very thing she spoke of, she was (is) a living example of what she asked the incoming administration to do.
Every gay, lesbian, transgender...(or however one identifies), black, brown, white...(or however one identifies), immigranted (born, documented, or undocumented), rich or poor, or somewhere in between...all of us who heard her speech, and those who did not personally hear it, but live it - here in the U.S. and around the world - FELT HEARD, SEEN, GOTTEN, HONORED, VALIDATED, even LOVED in ways that CALLED TO BE SAID ALOUD , PUBLIClY, BOLDLY, DEFIANTLY in the name of HUMANITY.
My prayer for myself and my life is the same.
There are TRUTHS that I know to be true and which LIVE in the cells of my body, which DEMAND of me to be spoken (or written) ALOUD. And there are parts of me that seek to hover, to hide, to find refuge and solace...where is it safe for me, my family, friends, those I love, the people I've worked with and stood for, my former, present & future students...???
This is a time of unpresidented horror. I say that because, while history tells us of Hitler, and Mussalini, and other unthinkable crimes against humanity by regimes in power, WE COULD HAVE LEARNED FROM HISTORY, but this regime takes it further...because new tools are available (internet, AI...) making the destruction swift, paralyzing, and pervasive.
How does one live in these times? For me, Rev. Budde's words are a LIGHT on the path that I have chosen.
Dear Jane, Beautifully stated, and heartfelt. Your last statement about LIGHT reminds me of my favorite saying of Henri Nouwen, which I have mentioned in these pages before: "You can't see the whole path ahead, but there is usually enough light to take the next step." LIGHT, yes -- her words light that path. Thanks for your comment, as always. Peace and love to you.
Actually, after I posted my comment I realized I had no idea how to do it! I was thinking of a playlist in my phone, rather than something public. But public is a great idea!
The only silver lining to these terrifying times is the creativity and collaboration that is emerging between friends, old & new! (Hence I’m back to what I told you about Indivisible!!)
Happy to confer further (in between TESLA pickets & rallies in support of the EPA!)
Let's do it! I think such a playlist would be a public service, so that people have role models - some big and some "everyday." Your earlier mention of indivisible inspired me to check them out. I've got quite a few things on the docket this week, but they are definitely on my contact list! So thank you for that! Your current activities sound spot on!!
As the two people before me have expressed so eloquently, your reminder of Rev. Budde’s words & especially her courageous delivery while DJT squirmed is a gift to us all.
It seems like ages ago now that I saw the video! I think being reminded of them at least monthly is crucial as we make our way through this perilous time and find our own ways to be involved and courageous.
You have given me an idea for a Lessons in Courage playlist! Besides Reverend Budde, Timothy Snyder’s Five Failures after the humiliating treatment of President Zelenskyy in the Oval belongs there as well. (I’d add the link if I were more proficient in substack! 😉)
Thank you for word of her book & inspiring my new playlist.
Dear Kris, I LOVE your idea of creating a Lessons in Courage playlist!! Were you thinking of something on Spotify or on YouTube or ??? If you decide to do it, I'd be more than happy to help out. I think this is something that definitely could be done on Substack. It allows you to link audio and video as well as images. I found Rev. Budde's sermon on YouTube and then just captured the link --- and then on Substack, pasted the link where I wanted it to appear. Voila. I think it would be possible to do something weekly - there's plenty of material out there. I think it provides a critical counter-balance to the many pieces now appearing that highlight wrongs and raise anxieties (all with full justification!), without providing recommended actions OR exemplars of people who are standing up. It's the examples that inspire people to think: "If they could do it, I could do it too!" I will cheer you on, and will be happy to assist and promote your page!! Feel free to email or text me if you want to pursue this off line.
Like you, I didn’t realize Reverend Budde had written a book, and look forward to reading your reflections on it as you savor and take it in. What she said at the inaugural service was heartfelt and powerful, and I’m sure resonated with many of us. Thank you for sharing this essay today.
Thank you,Jennie. Even though she spoke those words less than two months ago, it feels like years ago. I’m glad to be able to put her words out there once again for our consideration. I’ve been reading her book this afternoon, and I’m finding it quite captivating. I do look forward to sharing further perspectives on it as I take it in. I will be interested in your thoughts as well!
Hal, thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughts - both personal & collective - about the state of the world we're living in at this time, and specifically, the words of Rev. Budde.
There is so much I could say...but for now, thank you for the guiderails of your essay.
Rev. Budde, from my view, was (is) a prophet. By that I mean, she KNEW what she was saying, why she was saying it, and to whom she was saying it.
She also honored the very words she wrote, spoke, and demonstrated in her speech - especially the 2nd of her three points, honesty. She HAD to speak it because she knew (my guess is in every cell of her body) the TRUTH of her words.
My sense too, like prophets we've heard of in other times and places, is that she literally risked her life to speak truth to power. And she HAS done the very thing she spoke of, she was (is) a living example of what she asked the incoming administration to do.
Every gay, lesbian, transgender...(or however one identifies), black, brown, white...(or however one identifies), immigranted (born, documented, or undocumented), rich or poor, or somewhere in between...all of us who heard her speech, and those who did not personally hear it, but live it - here in the U.S. and around the world - FELT HEARD, SEEN, GOTTEN, HONORED, VALIDATED, even LOVED in ways that CALLED TO BE SAID ALOUD , PUBLIClY, BOLDLY, DEFIANTLY in the name of HUMANITY.
My prayer for myself and my life is the same.
There are TRUTHS that I know to be true and which LIVE in the cells of my body, which DEMAND of me to be spoken (or written) ALOUD. And there are parts of me that seek to hover, to hide, to find refuge and solace...where is it safe for me, my family, friends, those I love, the people I've worked with and stood for, my former, present & future students...???
This is a time of unpresidented horror. I say that because, while history tells us of Hitler, and Mussalini, and other unthinkable crimes against humanity by regimes in power, WE COULD HAVE LEARNED FROM HISTORY, but this regime takes it further...because new tools are available (internet, AI...) making the destruction swift, paralyzing, and pervasive.
How does one live in these times? For me, Rev. Budde's words are a LIGHT on the path that I have chosen.
Much love, Jane
Dear Jane, Beautifully stated, and heartfelt. Your last statement about LIGHT reminds me of my favorite saying of Henri Nouwen, which I have mentioned in these pages before: "You can't see the whole path ahead, but there is usually enough light to take the next step." LIGHT, yes -- her words light that path. Thanks for your comment, as always. Peace and love to you.
Actually, after I posted my comment I realized I had no idea how to do it! I was thinking of a playlist in my phone, rather than something public. But public is a great idea!
The only silver lining to these terrifying times is the creativity and collaboration that is emerging between friends, old & new! (Hence I’m back to what I told you about Indivisible!!)
Happy to confer further (in between TESLA pickets & rallies in support of the EPA!)
Let's do it! I think such a playlist would be a public service, so that people have role models - some big and some "everyday." Your earlier mention of indivisible inspired me to check them out. I've got quite a few things on the docket this week, but they are definitely on my contact list! So thank you for that! Your current activities sound spot on!!
Dear Hal,
As the two people before me have expressed so eloquently, your reminder of Rev. Budde’s words & especially her courageous delivery while DJT squirmed is a gift to us all.
It seems like ages ago now that I saw the video! I think being reminded of them at least monthly is crucial as we make our way through this perilous time and find our own ways to be involved and courageous.
You have given me an idea for a Lessons in Courage playlist! Besides Reverend Budde, Timothy Snyder’s Five Failures after the humiliating treatment of President Zelenskyy in the Oval belongs there as well. (I’d add the link if I were more proficient in substack! 😉)
Thank you for word of her book & inspiring my new playlist.
Kris
Dear Kris, I LOVE your idea of creating a Lessons in Courage playlist!! Were you thinking of something on Spotify or on YouTube or ??? If you decide to do it, I'd be more than happy to help out. I think this is something that definitely could be done on Substack. It allows you to link audio and video as well as images. I found Rev. Budde's sermon on YouTube and then just captured the link --- and then on Substack, pasted the link where I wanted it to appear. Voila. I think it would be possible to do something weekly - there's plenty of material out there. I think it provides a critical counter-balance to the many pieces now appearing that highlight wrongs and raise anxieties (all with full justification!), without providing recommended actions OR exemplars of people who are standing up. It's the examples that inspire people to think: "If they could do it, I could do it too!" I will cheer you on, and will be happy to assist and promote your page!! Feel free to email or text me if you want to pursue this off line.
Hello Hal,
Like you, I didn’t realize Reverend Budde had written a book, and look forward to reading your reflections on it as you savor and take it in. What she said at the inaugural service was heartfelt and powerful, and I’m sure resonated with many of us. Thank you for sharing this essay today.
Jennie
Thank you,Jennie. Even though she spoke those words less than two months ago, it feels like years ago. I’m glad to be able to put her words out there once again for our consideration. I’ve been reading her book this afternoon, and I’m finding it quite captivating. I do look forward to sharing further perspectives on it as I take it in. I will be interested in your thoughts as well!